abyss
An abyss is an extremely deep or seemingly bottomless hole, chasm, or void. Metaphorically, it refers to a catastrophic situation, a profound difference between two things, or an overwhelming state of negative emotion like despair.
Exemples
3 sur 5The hiker stood cautiously at the edge of the dark abyss, unable to see the bottom of the canyon.
The walker stood carefully by the deep hole, unable to see how far down the canyon went.
If the government does not act soon, the economy could fall into a terrifying abyss of debt.
Without government action, the national economy might collapse into a deep state of debt.
I lost my keys in the abyss of my messy backpack.
I lost my keys in the deep, disorganized space of my bag.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Visualize the 'y' in 'abyss' as a funnel or a deep pit that you are falling into.
Quiz rapide
The explorer felt a sense of dread while standing on the edge of the _____, not knowing how deep it truly was.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : abyss
Exemples
The hiker stood cautiously at the edge of the dark abyss, unable to see the bottom of the canyon.
everydayThe walker stood carefully by the deep hole, unable to see how far down the canyon went.
If the government does not act soon, the economy could fall into a terrifying abyss of debt.
formalWithout government action, the national economy might collapse into a deep state of debt.
I lost my keys in the abyss of my messy backpack.
informalI lost my keys in the deep, disorganized space of my bag.
The researcher examined the biological organisms that thrive in the abyssal zone of the ocean.
academicThe scientist studied the living things that survive in the deepest parts of the sea.
The sudden market crash pushed the firm toward a financial abyss.
businessThe sudden drop in stock prices pushed the company toward a complete financial failure.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
stare into the abyss
to contemplate something dark, dangerous, or existential
bridge the abyss
to overcome a massive difference or gap between two things
on the brink of an abyss
to be very close to a catastrophic failure
Souvent confondu avec
A chasm is usually a physical crack or literal gap, whereas abyss implies a much greater, often infinite, depth or metaphorical despair.
Abysmal is the adjective form often used to mean 'extremely bad', while abyss is the noun for the void itself.
Notes d'usage
Use 'abyss' to emphasize the scale of a problem or the depth of a physical space. It is a powerful, dramatic word often used in literature and philosophical discussions to describe things that are incomprehensibly deep.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often try to use 'abyss' as an adjective (e.g., 'an abyss hole'), but it is a noun. Use 'abyssal' for scientific contexts or 'abysmal' to mean very poor quality.
Astuce mémo
Visualize the 'y' in 'abyss' as a funnel or a deep pit that you are falling into.
Origine du mot
From the Greek word 'abyssos', meaning 'bottomless' (a- 'without' + byssos 'bottom').
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
The word is famously used in Friedrich Nietzsche's quote: 'If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you,' referring to the psychological effect of confronting evil or darkness.
Quiz rapide
The explorer felt a sense of dread while standing on the edge of the _____, not knowing how deep it truly was.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : abyss
Vocabulaire associé
Mots lis
proceed
C1The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.
individual
C1Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.
appropriately
B2To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.
region
B2A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.
resource
B2A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
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